Blue Marlin
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The red button that could launch Britain's nuclear warheads - and the safe containing the PM's secret orders for war: A rare glimpse into the claustrophobic world of a Trident submarine
In fact, the device seen here for the first time is the trigger to Britain’s nuclear deterrent, a button that when pressed could destroy hundreds of thousands of lives.
It is in the hand of Lieutenant Commander Woods, the weapons engineer officer on HMS Vigilant, one of four Vanguard class submarines that carries up to eight Trident missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
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Red trigger: Weapons Engineer Woods holds a device on HMS Vigilant that would be used in the final stage of a nuclear missile launch
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Handheld: The Weapons Engineer Officers Tactical Trigger is pictured on one of the UK's four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines
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Vanguard Class submarine: HMS Vigilant is pictured at HM Naval Base Clyde near Glasgow today as it was opened to the media
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The box: Daniel Martyn Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant next to a safe that contains the Prime Minister's last resort instructions
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Secure stowage: The safe is pictured on board HMS Vigilant at HM Naval Base Clyde, also known as Faslane, ahead of Mr Fallon's visit
The 38-year-old father of three has spent 16 years training for the moment when Vigilant’s commanding officer, Commander Dan Martyn, utters the words ‘missiles for strategic launch’.
When that order is given, Lt Cdr Woods will have no idea of his location, what is happening in the world, or what the target is. But he knows that he will hold the grip – modelled on a Colt 45 Peacemaker handgun – and press the trigger without hesitation.
Speaking yesterday for the first time about his role, Lt Cdr Woods, whose first name cannot be given, said: ‘It is a combination of an honour and a burden. Knowing what could be on your hands is obviously a heavy load to deal with, but at the same time, our political masters trust us to deliver the deterrent.’
Asked if he was ready to press the trigger, Lt Cdr Woods said: ‘Ultimately, yes. We have to act on the orders of our political lords and masters.
‘When we are at sea, we don’t know the whole story and we have to trust that they know what they are doing.
‘If we are in the position of launching it, then ultimately deterrence has failed. It is important that no one person on board the submarine has the ability to control and launch on their own. He [the commanding officer] has part of the jigsaw puzzle, I have the other half.
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Taking a look: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (right) with Daniel Martyn (front centre), Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant and Rear Admiral of Submarines, and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff John Weale (front left) walk together during a visit to HMS Vigilant today
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Submarine tour: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (centre) with Daniel Martyn (left) Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant and Rear Admiral of Submarines and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff John Weale (right) during a visit to Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant
- HMS Vigilant opened up at HM Naval Base Clyde to reveal life underwater on a Vanguard Class submarine
- Base hosted visit by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon who underlined case for renewing Trident system
- Weapons Engineer Woods pictured on board Vigilant holding Weapons Engineer Officers Tactical Trigger
- Lieutenant Alexandra Olsson, the UK's first female submariner, seen on phone in the Vigilant control room
In fact, the device seen here for the first time is the trigger to Britain’s nuclear deterrent, a button that when pressed could destroy hundreds of thousands of lives.
It is in the hand of Lieutenant Commander Woods, the weapons engineer officer on HMS Vigilant, one of four Vanguard class submarines that carries up to eight Trident missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
+33
Red trigger: Weapons Engineer Woods holds a device on HMS Vigilant that would be used in the final stage of a nuclear missile launch
+33
+33
Handheld: The Weapons Engineer Officers Tactical Trigger is pictured on one of the UK's four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines
+33
Vanguard Class submarine: HMS Vigilant is pictured at HM Naval Base Clyde near Glasgow today as it was opened to the media
+33
The box: Daniel Martyn Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant next to a safe that contains the Prime Minister's last resort instructions
+33
Secure stowage: The safe is pictured on board HMS Vigilant at HM Naval Base Clyde, also known as Faslane, ahead of Mr Fallon's visit
The 38-year-old father of three has spent 16 years training for the moment when Vigilant’s commanding officer, Commander Dan Martyn, utters the words ‘missiles for strategic launch’.
When that order is given, Lt Cdr Woods will have no idea of his location, what is happening in the world, or what the target is. But he knows that he will hold the grip – modelled on a Colt 45 Peacemaker handgun – and press the trigger without hesitation.
Speaking yesterday for the first time about his role, Lt Cdr Woods, whose first name cannot be given, said: ‘It is a combination of an honour and a burden. Knowing what could be on your hands is obviously a heavy load to deal with, but at the same time, our political masters trust us to deliver the deterrent.’
Asked if he was ready to press the trigger, Lt Cdr Woods said: ‘Ultimately, yes. We have to act on the orders of our political lords and masters.
‘When we are at sea, we don’t know the whole story and we have to trust that they know what they are doing.
‘If we are in the position of launching it, then ultimately deterrence has failed. It is important that no one person on board the submarine has the ability to control and launch on their own. He [the commanding officer] has part of the jigsaw puzzle, I have the other half.
+33
Taking a look: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (right) with Daniel Martyn (front centre), Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant and Rear Admiral of Submarines, and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff John Weale (front left) walk together during a visit to HMS Vigilant today
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Submarine tour: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (centre) with Daniel Martyn (left) Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant and Rear Admiral of Submarines and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff John Weale (right) during a visit to Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant
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